By ERIC SCHAADT
Staff Writer
NORTH BALTIMORE — The interim chief of the North Baltimore Emergency Medical Service stepped down from the post this week, as village officials continue to consider revamping the ambulance service.
Eric Larson, hired last month as interim, full-time EMS chief, submitted a letter of resignation that was accepted by North Baltimore Council.
Larson, who has been overseeing the reorganization of the village emergency medical service, is leaving to become a paramedic in Louisiana, according to village officials.
Larson’s contract was set to expire at year’s end.
“It’s disappointing,” Councilwoman Janet Goldner said Wednesday of Larson’s departure. “We were working toward him taking over” the EMS.
Council has offered the job of acting emergency medical service chief to village Fire Chief Ted Francisco until the end of this year.
If Francisco accepts, he would earn a $2,500 stipend this year, according to village officials.
Goldner chairs council’s Public Safety Committee, which has been working to upgrade the emergency medical service and its billing issues.
In recent years, council has had trouble staffing the emergency medical service with enough volunteers, especially during daytime shifts.
Goldner said the village is planning to hire paid emergency medical technicians to work 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.
Current volunteers would be asked to work nights and fill other openings.
A salary for the proposed paid EMT positions has not been determined.
According to Goldner, council might also consider hiring a “lead medical person” to direct the emergency medical service. No decision has been reached.
“We’re keeping our options open on how we restructure,” Goldner said.
Also, Village Council is considering seeking a levy in the fall to pay for the full-time emergency medical technicians.
The councilwoman said council is “committed” to improving ambulance coverage for the safety of the community.
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